Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising: obtaining, by a processor of a communication device, an operational metric for a transceiver of the communication device; identifying a desired transmitter performance and a desired receiver performance; determining, by the processor, a target figure of merit based on a compromise between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance; determining, by the processor, a current figure of merit based on the operational metric; comparing, by the processor, the current figure of merit to the target figure of merit; and adjusting, by the processor, a variable reactance component of an impedance matching circuit operably coupled with an antenna of the communication device, the adjusting of the variable reactance component being performed based on the comparing of the current and the target figures of merit.
A communication device adjusts its antenna impedance matching for optimal performance. The device's processor obtains an operational metric (e.g., power output) from its transceiver. It then determines a "target figure of merit" representing the best balance between desired transmitter and receiver performance. A "current figure of merit" is calculated based on the current operational metric. The processor compares these two figures and adjusts a variable reactance component (e.g., a tunable capacitor) in the antenna's impedance matching circuit. This adjustment optimizes the antenna based on the compromise between transmitter and receiver needs.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining of the operational metric is during a transmit mode of the transceiver, wherein the variable reactance component is adjusted without utilizing operational metrics measured during a receive mode of the communication device.
The antenna tuning method from the previous description focuses solely on transmitter performance. The operational metric is obtained during the transmit mode. The adjustment of the variable reactance component in the impedance matching circuit is based only on transmitter metrics and doesn't use any data gathered during the receive mode. This prioritizes optimizing the antenna for transmission, even if it means sacrificing some receive performance.
3. The method of claim 1 , comprising communicating, by the communication device, utilizing frequency division multiplexing.
The communication device uses frequency division multiplexing (FDM) for communication. The antenna tuning method from the initial description optimizes the antenna's impedance matching circuit while the device is actively using FDM. The operational metric from the transceiver is used to adjust the variable reactance component. This suggests the tuning process is compatible with and likely improves the performance of FDM-based communications.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the target figure of merit includes selecting a mid-point between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance.
When determining the target figure of merit (the desired balance between transmitter and receiver performance) a midpoint is selected. This midpoint represents a compromise or average between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance. So, instead of prioritizing one heavily, the tuning system aims for a balanced performance level.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the current figure of merit is based on known parameters associated with the variable reactance component and is not based on phase information.
The "current figure of merit" calculation is based on known characteristics of the variable reactance component (e.g., its capacitance value). Phase information is explicitly not used in this calculation. This likely simplifies the tuning algorithm and avoids complex phase measurements, relying instead on the simpler reactance value to determine how to adjust the impedance matching circuit.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising: storing a tuning value based on the adjusting of the variable reactance component; and utilizing the tuning value as a default value for subsequent tuning of the antenna.
After the variable reactance component has been adjusted, the tuning value (the final setting of the component) is stored. This stored value is then used as the starting point for subsequent antenna tuning processes. By using this default tuning value, the device can converge on an optimal setting faster than starting from scratch each time.
7. The method of claim 6 , comprising: determining an operational state of the communication device; and utilizing information associated with the operational state as a default value for subsequent tuning of the antenna.
The antenna tuning system uses different default values based on the current device operating state. First, it determines the operational state of the communication device. Information from that operational state is used as a default tuning value. This initial setting will be used for subsequent antenna tuning rather than the stored value, potentially providing better and quicker tuning performance.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the operational state comprises a use case scenario selected from the group consisting essentially of hand held operation, antenna position and slider position.
The operational state used for determining the default tuning value can be a "use case scenario." Examples of use cases include: hand-held operation (the way a user holds the device), antenna position, and slider position (physical slider on the device). Each of these user case scenarios has information stored in the device that the processor can utilize.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compromise between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance is based on an evaluation of total radiated power.
The compromise between desired transmitter and receiver performance (used to determine the "target figure of merit") is based on evaluating total radiated power. The system aims to maximize the total power being radiated by the antenna, balancing the transmitter's output power with the antenna's efficiency in radiating that power.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compromise between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance is based on an evaluation of total isotropic sensitivity.
The compromise between desired transmitter and receiver performance is based on evaluating total isotropic sensitivity (TIS). This prioritizes optimizing the receiver's ability to detect weak signals equally in all directions. The "target figure of merit" will aim to improve sensitivity, balancing the receiver's sensitivity and the antenna's efficiency.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compromise between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance is based on an evaluation of transmitter linearity.
The compromise between desired transmitter and receiver performance is based on evaluating transmitter linearity. This seeks to minimize distortion in the transmitted signal. The target figure of merit is adjusted to reduce unwanted signals from being amplified and broadcasted by the device and antenna system.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compromise between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance is based on an evaluation of transmitter efficiency.
The compromise between desired transmitter and receiver performance is based on evaluating transmitter efficiency. Here, the tuning process aims to maximize the amount of power radiated by the antenna given the power supplied to the transmitter. It focuses on minimizing power loss in the transmitter and antenna system.
13. A communication device comprising: an antenna; a transceiver; an impedance matching network coupled with the antenna and the transceiver, wherein the impedance matching network includes a variable reactance component; a memory to store computer instructions; and a controller coupled with the memory and the impedance matching network, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the computer instructions, performs operations comprising: obtaining an operational metric associated with the transceiver; identifying a desired transmitter performance and a desired receiver performance; determining a target figure of merit based on a compromise between the desired transmitter performance and the desired receiver performance; determining a current figure of merit based on the operational metric; and adjusting the variable reactance component of the impedance matching circuit based on a comparison of the current figure of merit with the target figure of merit.
A communication device optimizes antenna performance with a transceiver, an antenna, and a matching network containing a variable reactance. A controller uses stored instructions to: 1) obtain an operational metric from the transceiver; 2) identify desired transmitter and receiver performance levels; 3) calculate a target figure of merit that balances transmitter and receiver needs; 4) determine a current figure of merit based on the operational metric; and 5) adjust the variable reactance component in the matching network to align the current figure of merit with the target, optimizing the antenna system dynamically.
14. The communication device of claim 13 , wherein the variable reactance component includes a voltage tunable capacitor, and wherein the operations of the controller further comprise: determining a use case for the communication device; and performing an initial adjustment of the voltage tunable capacitor based on the use case without utilizing any operational metrics associated with the transceiver, wherein the initial adjustment of the voltage tunable capacitor is performed prior to the adjusting based on the comparison of the current figure of merit with the target figure of merit.
In the communication device described previously, the variable reactance component is a voltage tunable capacitor. The controller determines a use case (e.g., how the phone is being held) and initially adjusts the capacitor's voltage based on the use case before using feedback from the transceiver to fine-tune it. This initial adjustment is done *without* using operational metrics from the transceiver; those metrics are only used for subsequent, finer adjustments, improving the speed of antenna optimization.
15. The communication device of claim 13 , wherein the variable reactance component includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) variable reactance component.
In the communication device, the variable reactance component is a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) variable reactance component. So, instead of a standard tunable capacitor, the system uses a MEMS device for dynamically adjusting the reactance in the impedance matching network.
16. The communication device of claim 13 , wherein the operations of the controller further comprise: storing a tuning value based on the adjusting of the variable reactance component; and utilizing the tuning value as a default value for subsequent tuning of the antenna.
The communication device saves the final tuning value of the variable reactance component. This value is then used as the starting point for subsequent antenna tuning. By using this default tuning value, the device can converge on an optimal setting faster than starting from scratch each time.
17. The communication device of claim 13 , wherein the obtaining of the operational metric is during a transmit mode of the transceiver, and wherein the variable reactance component is adjusted without utilizing operational metrics measured during a receive mode of the communication device.
The communication device optimizes the antenna tuning solely based on transmitter performance. The operational metric is obtained during the transmit mode. The adjustment of the variable reactance component is based only on transmitter metrics and doesn't use any data gathered during the receive mode.
18. The communication device of claim 13 , wherein the adjusting of the variable reactance component is associated with a communication session that utilizes frequency division multiplexing.
The adjustment of the variable reactance component is used with frequency division multiplexing. The adjustment of the variable reactance component in the antenna's impedance matching network is associated with (or triggered by) the use of FDM for communication. This suggests the tuning process is linked to and likely improves the performance of FDM-based communications.
19. A method comprising: obtaining an operational metric for a transceiver of a communication device; determining a target figure of merit based on transceiver performance of the communication device; determining a current figure of merit based on the operational metric, wherein the determining of the target figure of merit is not based on phase information; comparing the current figure of merit to the target figure of merit to determine a figure of merit comparison; and adjusting, by a processor of the communication device, a variable reactance component of an impedance matching circuit operably coupled with an antenna of the communication device, the adjusting of the variable reactance component being performed based on the figure of merit comparison and based on previous tuning results associated with previous adjusting of the variable reactance component.
A communication device tunes its antenna impedance matching. The device obtains an operational metric from the transceiver. It determines a target figure of merit based on transceiver performance, but *not* using phase information. The device then determines a current figure of merit based on the operational metric. It compares the current and target figures of merit. Finally, it adjusts a variable reactance component in the antenna's impedance matching circuit based on both this comparison *and* previous tuning results.
20. The method of claim 19 , comprising monitoring the previous tuning results by determining a change in the current figure of merit based on different reactance values for the variable reactance component.
To track "previous tuning results," the device monitors how the current figure of merit changes as the reactance value of the variable reactance component is changed. This means the system tests different reactance values and observes the resulting impact on the transceiver's performance, allowing it to learn the optimal settings for the variable reactance component over time.
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August 5, 2014
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